VIDEO: Halifax Mooseheads open season with convincing win

The Halifax Mooseheads opened their season with a convincing win on Thursday.

Maxime Fortier had two goals and an assist and high-profile newcomers Filip Zadina and Xavier Parent scored in their first QMJHL game to lead the Mooseheads to a 4-1 victory over the Saint John Sea Dogs in Saint John.

“It was a tight game but the difference was our power play,” said Mooseheads head coach Jim Midgley. “We capitalized on our opportunities and that’s what you want to see early in the season. If you get off to a good start with it, it gives you confidence right away. Both our special teams were good.”

After being returned to the QMJHL by the Montreal Canadiens and named Mooseheads captain earlier in the day, Fortier set up Zadina for Halifax’s first goal of the season and scored on a breakaway to highlight a three-goal second period. Parent matched Zadina with a second-period power-play goal and Fortier added his second of the night in the third to put Halifax comfortably ahead 4-0. Saint John’s Daniel Hardie snapped the shutout with a power-play goal later in the third period.

“It was happy news to get that phone call that Max was coming back,” Midgley said. “Hats off to him for wanting to play. I’m sure he’d admit he didn’t have great legs after a long day but he found a way. He’s a difference maker and we know that. His resume speaks for itself. It was really good to see him out there.”

Mooseheads sophomore goalie Alexis Gravel also had a strong season debut, making numerous flashy stops in the win. He finished with 31 saves to earn the game’s first star and Alex D’Orio stopped 24 shots for the Sea Dogs.

“Alexis was outstanding,” Midgley said. “He kept us in it early on and then he was very, very good late too. He had a great game.”

On the negative side of the ledger, top Halifax defenceman Jared McIsaac missed most of the game after suffering an upper body injury in the first period.

The Mooseheads play their next game against the Charlottetown Islanders on the road on Saturday. Their home opener is on Sept. 30 against the Bathurst Titan.

Notes: The Moncton Wildcats named Halifax native Nick Welsh captain on Thursday. The 20-year-old defenceman spent four seasons with the Shawinigan Cataractes before being traded to the Wildcats during the off-season.